Building a Greenhouse – ups and… downs

Certainly when the girls and Jon gifted me with a greenhouse for Mother’s Day last year, this is not what I was hoping for when I walked to the back of the house one recent blustery day!

The winds blow so hard on our property that securing this house to the ground somehow becomes a bigger priority than we thought. Luckily, it wasn’t that difficult to straighten and we didn’t loose the kale or the Swiss chard growing inside. Jon drove rebar stakes to which he affixed the base and then reinforced the sides with long 2 x 8’s. This should do the trick, but a winter of Maine weather will tell us for sure.

All of the other season extenders – cold frames and mini-greenhouses – are producing as well. The leeks and carrots are completely covered and insulated with straw and it was only last week that I harvested the last of the Brussels sprouts and broccoli from the beds. The hens were so excited to still be getting greens this late in the season.

Traveling back in time to when it was constructed in the spring…

The girls got into the act, donning drills and hammers. The base is made of 3 – 2x12x12’s, the frame of electrical conduit piping with dry fit 45 and 90 degree corners at the ‘roof edge’ and topline. The whole is encased in 6 mil. plastic which we may find isn’t strong enough to withstand our property’s micro-climate.

Chloe working on strapping while Ella works on the framing.

Jon and Ella getting the last piece fitted for the base.

Rebecca used the greenhouse all summer long to grow veggies for the Riggin. I can’t wait to use it as we go into spring!

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About Me

For over 30 years I have honed my craft with both knife and pen. I cook on both my wood burning stove aboard the Maine windjammer J&E Riggin and at home on my Vulcan gas stove. I have written and published two cookbooks and am currently writing my third.
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